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AI giants like OpenAI are no longer content with just generating text or images—they're ambitiously transforming into 'everything companies.' The latest evidence comes from OpenAI's ChatGPT, which is testing a 'Shopping' feature that allows users to buy products directly through the app. Financial Times first reported this development, revealing that OpenAI would earn a commission on sales, similar to affiliate programs for publishers. BleepingComputer has independently confirmed the existence of toggles for 'Shopping,' 'Checkout,' and 'Orders' in the ChatGPT web interface, signaling active internal testing.

How ChatGPT Shopping Works and Why It Matters

Under this model, when ChatGPT recommends a product and facilitates a purchase, OpenAI takes a cut of the revenue. This isn't just a minor add-on; it's a strategic move to monetize ChatGPT's massive user base beyond subscriptions. Reports suggest a potential partnership with Shopify to streamline the checkout process, which would instantly connect OpenAI with millions of merchants. Crucially, the feature is expected to be accessible to all users, not just ChatGPT Plus subscribers, broadening its market reach and competitive edge against giants like Google Shopping.

"This could democratize AI-driven commerce," notes an industry analyst. "By embedding shopping directly into conversational AI, OpenAI is blurring the lines between search, recommendation, and transaction—forcing rivals to rethink their strategies."

Implications for Developers and the Tech Ecosystem

For developers, this shift opens new integration opportunities. Imagine building ChatGPT plugins that leverage this shopping API for seamless e-commerce experiences, or startups creating tools to optimize AI-driven sales funnels. However, it also raises questions about data privacy, user trust, and how OpenAI will handle the complexities of payment processing and fraud prevention. If successful, this could accelerate the trend of AI platforms becoming centralized hubs for daily activities, from information retrieval to financial transactions.

As OpenAI refines this feature, the broader tech landscape watches closely: Will ChatGPT Shopping become a staple like Amazon's buy button, or will it face hurdles in user adoption? Either way, it underscores AI's relentless evolution from a tool to a marketplace.

Source: Based on reporting from Financial Times and BleepingComputer.